Occupational Health Problems among the Farmers of Rural Field Practice Area of Department of Community Medicine, KIMS, Hubballi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: India is a land of agriculture. Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy. Farmers suffer from a multitude of problems; from the socio-economic problems to that related to their health. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the occupational health problems and the factors determining the health problems and to assess the health-seeking behavior among the farmers. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of KIMS, Hubli among 324 farmers. A pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire was used for the study. Suitable descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis. Results: Out of 324 farmers, the majority were males, Majority of the study participants were small scale farmers working more than 8 hours a day. Only 3.4% of the farmers used Personal protective measures while farming. Most of the farmers experienced occupational health problems- musculoskeletal problems being the commonest followed by respiratory problems. About 11.4% of the farmers experienced symptoms after pesticide exposure. The prevalence of health problems increases as the age advances and increase in years of work Conclusion: Farmers face many health problems, the occupational health of the farmers should not be neglected as they are the bread makers of the world. There is a need to address the health problems and the measures to reduce these problems.